Kenny Kopta
Feb 12, 2025
"You are the Son of the Almighty God"
Kindling the Word: 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Stoking the Spirit: How often do we fall into the trap of labeling ourselves by our struggles? Maybe you’ve said:
"That’s just the way I am; I can't change."
"I am not good enough."
"Trouble always follows me"
"I don't deserve happiness."
"God made me this way, so I just have to deal with it."
"I'm too old/young to change."
"Real men don't show emotions."
These are not just words; they are chains. Every time you label yourself by your struggles, you give the enemy a foothold in your life leaving the door wide open. You resign yourself to a false identity, one that contradicts what God says about you.
I understand this struggle personally. I grew up in a strong Christian home with loving parents who would have done anything to see me succeed and become the man God created me to be. Yet, even with that solid foundation, I still searched for validation from others—friends at school, kids who seemed to have influence, people I thought were the who’s who.
No matter how much love I had at home, I wasn’t satisfied with me. I wanted approval from those who never seemed to give it. I subjected myself to their put-downs, tried harder to fit in, and still felt like an outsider. The rejection and the striving planted lies deep in my heart: I’m not good enough. Why don’t people like me the way they should?
But through it all, my family never stopped encouraging me. They reminded me who I was, and when I sat at our family table, I knew I was loved. Even though I wrestled with people-pleasing and misplaced identity, God was planting something deeper in me—a truth I wouldn’t fully grasp until I surrendered to Him.
Now, looking back, I wouldn’t trade growing up in my small Florida town. At the time, I didn’t understand what God was doing, but He was shaping something greater in me than I could see. And He’s doing the same in you.
We see a powerful example of this in Mephibosheth’s story (2 Samuel 9:1-13). Mephibosheth was the grandson of King Saul and the son of Jonathan. After his father and grandfather died, he was crippled, forgotten, and living in Lo-Debar—a place of barrenness and lack. He likely believed his life would never change, that he was destined for scraps and suffering.
But then King David sought him out—not to punish him, but to bless him. David restored Mephibosheth’s inheritance and invited him to eat at the king’s table for the rest of his life. Though Mephibosheth saw himself as “a dead dog” (v. 8), David saw him as worthy of honor and belonging.
How often do we do the same? We call ourselves unworthy, broken, or stuck. We eat crumbs in Lo-Debar when we are meant to feast at the King’s table. God isn’t asking us to settle for less because of our past, our struggles, or our weaknesses. He’s calling us to sit at His table as sons, not beggars.
When I came to Christ, I had to start breaking off the chains of looking to others for my worth. I wasn’t created to fit into someone else’s mold—I was created to walk in God’s calling. And just like Mephibosheth, I had to recognize that I wasn’t meant to beg for scraps—I was always invited to the King’s table.
Your struggles don’t define you—God does. And He calls you His son.
Fireside Reflection - Where Your Struggle is God Speaks: Your repeated struggles are not signs of your identity but invitations from God. He is speaking to you in those areas—not to condemn you, but to transform you. That anger, that insecurity, that addiction, that fear—these are not who you are, but areas where God is calling you into victory. The battle you face is the battleground where God wants to show His power in your life.
Embers of Challenge - You Are Not a Beggar—You Are a Son: Too often, we live like spiritual beggars, accepting the scraps of doubt, failure, and insecurity rather than feasting at the King’s table. But you are not some forgotten servant barely getting by. You are a son of the Almighty Living God.
Ephesians 1:5 reminds us, “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ.” You are not defined by your past, your struggles, or your mistakes. You are defined by your Father. You belong at the King’s table, not begging for crumbs but living in the fullness of His grace.
Ignited for Action - Breaking the Labels and Walking in Victory:
Recognize the lie – The enemy wants you to believe you’re stuck. But God says you are being transformed (Romans 12:2).
Speak truth over yourself – Stop saying “this is just who I am” and start declaring “I am a son of the King” (Galatians 4:7).
Step into the fight – Transformation isn’t passive. If God is speaking to you in your struggle, it’s time to engage in the battle with prayer, scripture, and accountability.
Sit at the table – Stop living in a mindset of scarcity and failure. Take hold of the fullness of Christ, walking boldly in His promises.
Fireside180 Connection: The labels you’ve worn don’t belong to you anymore. Tear them off. Step into the identity God has given you. The King has prepared a feast, and your seat is reserved. Are you going to sit down and eat, or keep settling for crumbs?
What labels have you placed on yourself that don’t align with God’s truth?
Where is God speaking to you through your struggles, and how can you respond?
What practical steps can you take to break free from false labels and walk in your identity as a son of the King?
Decide you not to fall for the lies of the enemy. Discuss these questions at you fire with other brothers and let them pray with you. As James 5:16 states, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." Walk in community with others and be healed!
Fanning the Flames in Prayer:
Father, forgive me for believing the lie that I am stuck in my struggles. Help me to see where You are speaking to me and where You are calling me to grow. I am not a beggar, I am Your son. Give me the strength to break the labels that have held me back and to walk in the victory You have already won for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keeping the Fire Burning (Weekly Memory Verse):
Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”